Katie Thornton and I are heading to the NEC this week to visit the 2025 FIT Show.

It’s without doubt the premier UK event for the window and door sector and the place to see all the latest product innovations, meet the companies and the people shaping the future of the industry and, most importantly for us, stay up to date with the very latest rules and regulations.

The line up looks great, but for me, it’s just a shame there aren’t more systems companies exhibiting. The aluminium sector is pretty well represented and will no doubt pick up good enquiries from visitors looking to do more in ali, but the big names in PVC-U are arguably conspicuous by their absence and I think it’s their loss.

Product wise, I’ll be looking in particular for any interesting developments in access equipment, consumables, blinds and vents which could have applications for us here, as well as reviewing the latest window and door products from some of our key suppliers.

As Director of Compliance and Administration, Katie will obviously be dropping into the learning zone, where there are some interesting looking technical sessions scheduled on everything from Future Homes to PAS24. And there are two AI related sessions which have caught my eye as we look at how we can usefully start to deploy the technology at The Window Company (Contracts).

I don’t think either of us will be able to resist the installer zone or the installer marketplace either – with the likes of Smarts, AluK, Kenricks and Soudal all demoing new products.

Ultimately though, the FIT Show is about networking and connecting with friends, suppliers and industry colleagues – they even lay on late night Wednesday dedicated to after-hours socialising. I’ll be posting my thoughts on the show as the week goes on.